Fate of inquiry into Cong leader’s suicide lies in limbo

BILASPUR: Fate of magisterial inquiry, ordered into the incident of self-immolation committed by Congress leader Rajendra Tiwari from Bilha, is in limbo.
Two inquiry officers (ADMs), entrusted with the probe, have been transferred within 25 days of the incident and the third has not been appointed. Congress has alleged, who alleged the government of delaying the case, said the state is trying to trash the inquiry by shielding the then SDM Bilha Arjun Singh Sosidoa who compelled Tiwari to take the extreme step.
Tiwari, on October 26, had committed self-immolation in front SDM office at Bilha. He succumbed to the burn injuries at a hospital on the next day. Infuriated, the Congress leaders staged a protest on the Bilaspur-Raipur highway.
Following this Congress MLA from Bilha seat, Siyaram Kaushik, began an indefinite sit in before Bilha SDM office demanding action in the case. Congress and family member of the deceased alleged that Arjun Singh Sisodia had been harassing Tiwari and demanding money from him, which led him to take the extreme step in frustration.
After Tiwari’s death, a magisterial inquiry was ordered into the incident and, on October 28, district collector Anbalagan P appointed ADM Nirmal Tigga as the inquiry officer. However, before Tigga could proceed with the inquiry he was transferred to Kondagaon on November 14, 2015. Following the transfer, ADM Jaiprakash Maurya was appointed as the inquiry officer on November 23, 2015. Again, before Maurya could proceed with the inquiry he was transferred as CEO of district panchayat, Bilaspur, on December 12, 2015.
Before being transferred Maurya had presided on only one hearing into the case. Maurya replaced Dr Sarveshwar Narendra Bhure who has been transferred to district Kabeerdham in the same capacity.
The new inquiry officer into Rajendra Tiwaris case has not been appointed as yet. Congress has alleged that the state government is not serious about the inquiry into Tiwari’s death and is trying to shield former Bilha SDM Sisodia in this regard.